Nathaniel "Nat" Turner (October 2, 1800 – November 11, 1831)

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Introduction: Nat Turner was born into slavery. He was born October 2nd, 1800 being owned by Benjamin Turner . Nat's mother taught Nat to hate slavery. Nat Turner was a black preacher who led an uprising inwhich killed at least 55 white in Southampton County, Virginia. Nat Turner held the most brudel and bloodest slave rebellion known to man in the U.S. He was a really good preacher and encouraged his words among many local slaves! Nat Turner killed the whole Turner family ( his slave owners ). He was captured and hung in 1831.


Vital Stats:

  • Real Name- His first name given was Nat, he did not have a last name, therefore he was givin the last name of this slave owner, Samual Turner.
  • Birthday- October 2, 1800
  • Education -
  • Parents Name's - Mother's name was Nancy, father's name is unknown.
  • Height- 5' 6" - 5' 8"
  • Weight- 150/160 pounds
  • Slave ownser's name- Benjamin Turner, Samuel Turner, then Thomas Moore and Putnum Moore
  • Death- November 11,1831 in Courtland, Virginia; once known as Jerusalem.
  • Birth Location- Southampton County, Virginia
  • Best Known As: Leader of the 1831 slave rebellion ----


Early Life:
When Nat was born, his slave owner only recorded his first name, Nat. Although he may have had a last name in the slave community, it is unknown. Nat lived his life in South Hampton County, Virginia; a very black populated area. Turner learned to read and write at a very early age, very few slaves were able to learn like him. When growing up, Nat was very religious. He often was seen reading from the bible, praying, or speaking to his lord. Nat had many visions of God and spoke to him often. When Nat was twenty three, he ran away from his slave owner; but after a month he returned after having a vision from God inwhich God told him to return. By early 1828, Turner was convinced that he "was ordained for some great purpose in the hands of the Almighty." Nat had a very rough, religious, painful life but he had God to help him through it.

Slave Life:
Nat Turner was a hard working slave, even though he hated slavery. After work he preached for local slaves
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The Rebellion:
Turner started with a few well trusted fellow slaves. The rebels traveled from house to house, freeing slaves and killing the white people that got in their way. The rebels ultimately included more than 70 enslaved and free blacks. They used knives, hatchets, axes, and blunt instruments instead of firearms. The rebellion was not discrimated by age or gender, they killed every white that crossed their path. Nat Turner only confessed to killing one person, Margret Whitehead, who he killed with a blow from a fence post
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Nat's Death:
Nat died November 11th 1831 in Courtland, Virginia: once known as Jerusalem. He was killed because of his organizing and participation in the slave rebellion in which many whites were killed.
On November 5, 1831, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. He was hanged, then beheaded, and his body was flayed.
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Links:
Nutshell version of rebellion;
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3p1518.html
Wikipedia of Nat Turner;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nat_Turner

Video:----


Sources :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nat_Turner
http://civilwar.bluegrass.net/secessioncrisis/natturner.html
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASturner.htm